A new rumor suggests Apple is planning to hold an earlier-than-expected special event in early February to introduce its third-generation iPad running iOS 5.1.

Japanese website Macotakara reported on Tuesday that the unveiling of a so-called "iPad 3" along with iOS 5.1 will occur in February, citing both an Asian supplier and a source in the U.S. Despite a rumored early February introduction, the report claims that the new iPad would still launch in early March, much like the iPad 2 in 2011.

Last year, the iPad 2 was introduced in a media event held on March 2, and the device went on sale just 9 days later on March 11. But Tuesday's rumor would suggest that Apple could have a longer wait time in between the unveiling of a third-generation iPad and its sale date.

That delay would be at least in part because Chinese factories will be shut down to celebrate that country's New Year. This year's festival is earlier than usual, and runs from Jan. 23 through 28.

Recent reports have suggested that Foxconn and Pegatron will begin shipping the first "iPad 3" units in early March. Rumors leading up to the anticipated iPad unveiling have generally pointed toward a March launch of the device, but a monthlong wait time between the unveiling and sale of a new iPad would be a change from Apple's approach in 2011.

Rumors have generally agreed that the next iPad will support a new high-resolution, Apple-branded "Retina Display" akin to the screens currently found on the iPhone and iPod touch. There have also been claims that Apple will continue to sell the current-generation iPad 2 at a reduced price.

Macotakara has a mixed track record with Apple rumors in the past, accurately reporting that Apple would introduce its second-gen iPad in March and push out the release of the fifth-generation iPhone until much later in the year, but also incorrectly claiming that Apple would release new MacBook Airs with high-speed 400MBps flash memory and that a fifth-generation iPhone would feature an aluminum back.

An anticipated iPad 3 event is not to be confused with a confirmed education-related event that Apple is set to hold on Thursday in New York City. That media briefing is expected to relate to digital publishing and e-books, and will not showcase any new hardware.

Yeah, let's just kill all potential sales of the iPad 2 for an entire month; sounds like a good idea.

Well, if they keep the iPad 2 at a lower price akin to what they do with the iPhone, maybe that lower price will kick in just after the event. Would make sense to give developers time to create the high resolution images for the retina. So the experience will be amazing from day one.

Mac

Edit : Maybe something new not heard of yet that implies giving time to developers to adapt to.

I don't think Apple will release a new iPad before WWDC. This year is the best time for Apple to shift their iPad release cycle from March to July. Beside, everyone else gave up on tablet so there is no hurry.

I expect the next iPad and iPod touch to be released together shortly after WWDC with an announcement at WWDC. iPhone to stick to Oct schedule.

I don't think Apple will release a new iPad before WWDC. This year is the best time for Apple to shift their iPad release cycle from March to July. Beside, everyone else gave up on tablet so there is no hurry.

I expect the next iPad and iPod touch to be released together shortly after WWDC with an announcement at WWDC. iPhone to stick to Oct schedule.

No way! Putting the iPad (and now the iPod Touch) out just a season before the iPhone caused a strain which is why having them about 6 months apart from each other is best. Ill bet you a $25 iTunes Store gift card.

This bot has been removed from circulation due to a malfunctioning morality chip.

No way! Putting the iPad (and now the iPod Touch) out just a season before the iPhone caused a strain which is why having them about 6 months apart from each other is best. Ill bet you a $25 iTunes Store gift card.

Not if it's the iPad 2S. Chances are, they will sell the iPad 2 for a price competitive to the Amazon Fire.

Fuck the Kindle Fire.

Apple will never drop the price of the iPad 2 close to $199.

It might drop to $399, and that would still be twice the price of the Kindle Fire. Cheap people still aren't going to buy an iPad 2 for $399, and Apple shouldn't take into consideration these cheap people when pricing the iPad.

Maybe Apple could release a cheap 5", 6", 7" iPod Touch or something for those kind of people, as a slightly bigger iPod Touch would destroy the Kindle Fire. I bought a $200 iPod Touch as a christmas present for somebody recently. I didn't even consider getting a Kindle Fire, no way Jose.

Maybe Apple could release a cheap 5", 6", 7" iPod Touch or something for those kind of people, as a slightly bigger iPod Touch would destroy the Kindle Fire. I bought a $200 iPod Touch as a christmas present for somebody recently. I didn't even consider a Kindle Fire, no way Jose.

I don't think Apple will relase a product with those screen sizes. They have a great game changing product so i think they will stick with the formula that makes it so succesful. I don't think Kindle Fire buyers are really iPad buyers..........Thye aren't doing this in the phone segment (so far) and don't see them doing in the tablet segment

Tallest Skil:

"Eventually Google will have their Afghanistan with Oracle and collapse" "The future is Apple, Google, and a third company that hasn't yet been created."

Well, if it were correct, this rumor might be a confirmation that iPad 3 will have a retina display and Apple wants to give developers time to update apps.

I can't remember Apple ever having done this in the past. I think most people understand that it takes time for developers to release software updates. The updated iPad 3 hardware will be more than enough to get us all queuing up again.

Personally I wish they would bring back an annual Mac only event in Jan/Feb. The annual MacWorld keynote really helped to lift the post Christmas gloom every year.

This again. It's the same rumor bouncing around the blogosphere. Just because you hear it from different sources doesn't make it any more real. The only source that matters is Apple. It ain't real til Tim Cook says, "Good morning, thank you for joining us today..."

This again. It's the same rumor bouncing around the blogosphere. Just because you hear it from different sources doesn't make it any more real. The only source that matters is Apple. It ain't real til Tim Cook says, "Good morning, thank you for joining us today..."

Very well said!

Tallest Skil:

"Eventually Google will have their Afghanistan with Oracle and collapse" "The future is Apple, Google, and a third company that hasn't yet been created."

I can't remember Apple ever having done this in the past. I think most people understand that it takes time for developers to release software updates. The updated iPad 3 hardware will be more than enough to get us all queuing up again.

There are already a few, select developers making games for the iPad 3. I don't know that for a fact, but it's a good guess. When the iPad 2 came out, I remember that Real Racing HD was real quick on the market. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a Real Racing "Retina" available pretty soon after the iPad 3 gets released.

No way! Putting the iPad (and now the iPod Touch) out just a season before the iPhone caused a strain which is why having them about 6 months apart from each other is best. Ill bet you a $25 iTunes Store gift card.

I agree, keeping the iPhone in September/October and the iPad in March/April keeps them from competing with each other and the iPad in 1Q or early 2Q gives them a boost in sales in what would otherwise likely be a lower performing time span.

I think the rumor of an event in early Feb probably does more for sales than the actual event that early (assuming a March launch). Either way, I'm ready for it.

I can't remember Apple ever having done this in the past. I think most people understand that it takes time for developers to release software updates. The updated iPad 3 hardware will be more than enough to get us all queuing up again.

Personally I wish they would bring back an annual Mac only event in Jan/Feb. The annual MacWorld keynote really helped to lift the post Christmas gloom every year.

iPhone shown in Jan released in Jun.
iPhone SDK shown /released in Mar Apps allowed in Jun.
iPad shown in Jan released in Apr.

This again. It's the same rumor bouncing around the blogosphere. Just because you hear it from different sources doesn't make it any more real. The only source that matters is Apple. It ain't real til Tim Cook says, "Good morning, thank you for joining us today..."

This again. It's the same rumor bouncing around the blogosphere. Just because you hear it from different sources doesn't make it any more real. The only source that matters is Apple. It ain't real til Tim Cook says, "Good morning, thank you for joining us today..."

Or at the end of the rollout, they say they have a special message from a good friend and pull up the video screen for a few shots of Steve saying "One more thing.." from past events, then they surprise everyone w/something new

If the iPad would have an SD card reader or some other type of card reader with big storage, AND get rid of the 64 GB and 32 GB models, they would sell more units. There would only be two models to make. The WiFi and the cell phone connected ones. Some people wouldn't need to put off making a purchase because they couldn't afford the higher priced models yet knew the lower capacity ones wouldn't suffice. Quicker sales means more overall revenue than waiting for sales of the higher priced models to happen.

With Apples purchase of that flash storage design firm in Israel, they could come up with a proprietary card storage system if they wanted to earn money with that company. Apple could sell the cards.

Isn't it about time that a plug in memory card carried 300 GB of data? Two years ago for a brief time Sandisc had an article about a 300 GB card that was supposed to go on sale that summer. The article was removed and the product didn't come out. What happened?

It might drop to $399, and that would still be twice the price of the Kindle Fire. Cheap people still aren't going to buy an iPad 2 for $399, and Apple shouldn't take into consideration these cheap people when pricing the iPad.

How much is the iPhone 3GS again? As the manufacturing process increases, the overall cost decreases. It all depends if the next iPad has a new form factor. If not, and no retooling is needed, I'll bet the iPad 2 goes on sale for at least half the current price.

How much is the iPhone 3GS again? As the manufacturing process increases, the overall cost decreases. It all depends if the next iPad has a new form factor. If not, and no retooling is needed, I'll bet the iPad 2 goes on sale for at least half the current price.

I think the iPhone 3GS sells for about $450 out of contract.

The iPod Touch is $200 with 1/4 the display area and half the capacity of the entry level iPad.

The question is why would Apple lose money per unit sold when it doesn't have to? They didn't drop the iPod pricing because some company was putting out an inferior model that cost less, and the Kindle Fire is clearly inferior to the iPad. It can't even register 3 inputs at once.

This bot has been removed from circulation due to a malfunctioning morality chip.

If the iPad would have an SD card reader or some other type of card reader with big storage, AND get rid of the 64 GB and 32 GB models, they would sell more units. There would only be two models to make. The WiFi and the cell phone connected ones. Some people wouldn't need to put off making a purchase because they couldn't afford the higher priced models yet knew the lower capacity ones wouldn't suffice. Quicker sales means more overall revenue than waiting for sales of the higher priced models to happen.

With Apples purchase of that flash storage design firm in Israel, they could come up with a proprietary card storage system if they wanted to earn money with that company. Apple could sell the cards.

Isn't it about time that a plug in memory card carried 300 GB of data? Two years ago for a brief time Sandisc had an article about a 300 GB card that was supposed to go on sale that summer. The article was removed and the product didn't come out. What happened?

I wish I could raise Unicorns and fly them across the country. Zero chance an iPad get an SD Card reader. The 11" MBAs don't have it- why would an iPad? No incentive, nor does iOS even allow you to access it. The 32 and 64gb is where they have higher margins- why drop those?

Wanting something to happen and something actually happening are two very different things. Apple could release a 5-7" iPod Touch/iPad Mini, but they will never have a SD Card. iMacs didn't have them until 2009, and only because of photography needs/ease of use. They want you to use the iPad or iPhone as your camera. That all gears towards it.